RenaissanceVoicesDerek Morphy, conductor

December 9th and 10th, 2005

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Program

Genesis 1:1-2 King James Version

This is the truth sent from above traditional English

Adam lay ybounden Boris Ord (15th-century text)

Veni, veni Emmanuel Zoltan Kodaly (18th-century French Missal)

On Leaving by Don McKay

prairie winter by Charlene Diehl

Weihnachtslied Heinrich von Herzogenberg (text: Ernst Christoph Homburg)

O light of Light David Ashley White (10th-century text)

We Grow Accustomed to the Dark by Emily Dickinson

Shine the light Robert Evans

Star carol Kola Owolabi (text: Vincent Hui)

— intermission —

All this night Gerald Finzi (text: William Austin)

The stable door C. Armstrong Gibbs (text: Lilian Cox)

On the Seventh Day by Lorna Crozier

Un flambeau, Jeanneatte, Isabelle Stephen Hatfield (traditional Provençal)

Torches, torches James Schell (traditional Galician)soloist: Maureen Ferley; percussion: Mary-Lynn Berti, Karen Tole-Henderson

Sleeping in the Forest by Mary Oliver and Starlings in Winter

O blessed Christmas night Stan DeWitt (text: Frank Pooler)soloists: Kim Goerzen, Wanda Nicol

This blessed Christmas night Eleanor Daley

Morning Fire by Louise Erdrich

O nata lux Morten Lauridsen

Alleluya, a new work is come on hand Peter Wishart (15th-century text)

RenaissanceVoices

Thisyear,we consider Advent as a journey “Out of darkness…into light.” As well as a ranging selection of musical work around that theme, Winnipegpoet Charlene Diehl—who happens to be a member of our alto section—has selectedseveral texts to punctuate the program; she’ll share the reading with her friend JohnWeier, the Writer-in-Residence at the Millennium Library.

Our concert begins in symbolic darkness. This is the truth sent from above andAdam lay ybounden tell of the Fall of man, and the need to be redeemed by God’s gift ofhis only son.These early texts capture the waiting and longing that characterize Advent:“Four thousand winters thought he not too long.”The desire to be free from the weight ofsin is also reflected in the lovely setting by Zoltan Kodaly of Veni, veni Emmanuel. InWeihnachtslied, by 19th-century German composer, Heinrich von Herzogenberg, we sensea greater assurance that the “light” is “coming and not tarrying.”

Advent occurs at the darkest time of the year, when there is the least daylight. Thatlight functions as the symbolic center of the Christmas story makes sense, because itreflects our hope for warmth and a return to life. Both David Ashley White’s O light ofLight and Robert Evans’ Shine the light explore the generous warmth of the word. Weend the first half with Star carol by Kola Owolabi, a young Nigerian-Canadian composer,which tells of the “radiant star pouring light onto the searching earth.”

In the second part of our concert, light takes on many forms. Gerald Finzi’s brilliantsetting of 17th-century poet William Austin’s All this night tells of the chanticleer(cockerel) heralding the coming of the dawn when the Sun of righteousness shallappear. Armstrong Gibbs’ carol The stable door draws our attention to the soft lightspilling from the stable door, which assures us that “never is night again.”

The Provençal folk carol, Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle, here set as a gentle lullaby by Canadian Stephen Hatfield, and the lively Galician carol, Torches, torches,suggest the light carried by the shepherds running to Bethlehem to see the Christ child.And that torch light brings us to the stable on the night when Jesus was born, told inthe carols O blessed Christmas night by American Stan DeWitt, and This blessedChristmas night by Canadian Eleanor Daley.

Morten Lauridsen’s slow, rich treatment of the ancient Latin text, O nata lux, bloomswith the awe of the one “born light of lights.”We end with a cascading “Alleluya” markingthe “fulfilment of the prophecy” in a brilliant and confident setting of a 15th-century textAlleluya, a new work is come on hand by English composer Peter Wishart.

Out of darkness . . . into light. We thank you for joining us in this season of darkness,and celebrating the light of warmth, company, hope, and beautiful music.

Derek Morphy, conductor

Darkness has always held a fascination for writers: crouching within chaosor sorrow or loneliness is a kernel of richness, a flash of insight that sharpens one’svision. The incantatory voice of Genesis announces the Spirit of God moving throughthe void, and that openness to the mystery of what remains hidden—and the quickstartle of what might suddenly be revealed—animates each of these pieces. From thatancient seer through Dickinson’s dance of balanced contradictions to the contemplative,provocative, celebratory voices of the contemporary voices gathered here, we’re offeredglimpses of what we can’t see, but also what we can.

Charlene Diehl

This is the truth sent from above(traditional English)

This is the truth sent from above,The truth of God, the God of love;Therefore don’t turn me from the door,But hearken all, both rich and poor.

The first thing that I will relateThat God at first did man create;The next thing which to you I tell—Woman was made with him to dwell.

Then after that ‘twas God’s own choiceTo place them both in paradise,There to remain from evil freeExcept they ate of such a tree.

But they did eat, which was a sin,And thus their ruin did begin—Ruined themselves, both you and me,And all of our posterity.

Thus we were heirs to endless woesTill God the Lord did interpose;And so a promise soon did run:That he’d redeem us by his Son.

Adam lay ybounden (text: 15th century; setting: Boris Ord)

Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond;Four thousand winter thought he not too long.

All was for an apple, an apple that he took,As clarkes [clergy] finden written in their book.

Ne had the apple taken been,the apple taken been,

Ne had never our Lady abeen heavene queen.

Blessed be the time that apple taken was;Therefor we moun [must] singen:

’Deo gracias!’ [‘Thanks be to God!’]

Veni, veni Emmanuel, captivum solve Israel,Qui gemit in exilio, privatus Dei Filio.Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, o Jesse Virgula; ex hostis tuos ungula,De specu tuos tartari educ et antro barathri,Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, veni o Oriens solare nos adveniens;Noctis depele nebulas, dirasque mortis tenebras.Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni clavis Davidica; regna reclude caelica;Fac iter tutum superum, et claude vias inferum.Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, veni Adonai, qui populo in Sinai Legem dedisti vertice, in majestate gloriae.Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

O come, O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come,Thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny;From depths of hell Thy people save, and give them victory over thegrave. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come,Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine adventhere; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadowsput to flight. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come,Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenlyhome. Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path tomisery. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come,Thou Lord of Might, who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’sheight, In ancient times didst give the law in cloud, and majesty,and awe. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Veni, veni Emmanuel(text: 18th-century French Missal; setting: Zoltan Kodaly)

Kommst du, Licht der Heiden?Ja, du kommst und säumest nicht,weil du weisst, was uns gebricht,o! du starker Trost im Leiden.Jesu, meines Herzens Tür steht dir offen,Jesu komm zu mir.

Are you coming, light of the heathens?Yes, you are coming and not tarrying,because you know our needs,oh, you powerful comfort in suffering.Jesus, my heart’s door stands open to you,Jesus, come to me.

Weihnachtslied (text: Ernst Christoph Homburg; music: Heinrich von Herzogenberg)

O light of Light(text: 10th century; music: David Ashley White)

O light of Light, Love given birth;Jesus, Redeemer of the earth:more bright than day your face did show,your raiment whiter than snow.O Light!

Two prophets who had faith to see,with your elect found company;the heavens above, your glory named,your Father’s voice his Son proclaimed,Oh light of Light!

May all who seek to praise arightthrough purer lives show forth your light.To you, the King of glory, nowall faithful hearts adoring bow,O light of Light!

All this night(text: William Austin, 16th century;music: Gerald Finzi)

All this night shrill chanticleer [cockerel],Day’s proclaiming trumpeter,Claps his wings and loudly cries:“Mortals! mortals! wake and rise!See a wonder heav’n is under;From the earth is risse [risen] a SunShines all night, though day be done.”

“Wake, O earth! wake, ev’rything!Wake and hear the joy I bring;Wake and joy, for all this nightHeav’n and ev’ry twinkling lightAll amazing still stand grazing;Angels, power, and all that be,Wake, and joy this Sun to see.”

“Hail, O Sun! O blessed lightSent into the world by night!Let they rays and heavenly powersShine in this dark soul of ours,For most duly Thou are truly God and man, we do confess:Hail, O Sun of Righteousness!”

Shine the light(text & music: Robert Evans)

Shine the light on the Saviour of Man,who is born to be King, to be Lord of us all.Gentle Jesus in a manger,shine on us the wonder of your grace,and give us love, humility;Angels sing your praises in the starshine Heavens.Son of God, shine the light on the Saviour of Man.Gentle Jesus, shine on us your peace;Gentle Infant, who is born to be King, to be Lord of us all,shine the light.

Star carol(text: Vincent Hui; music: Kola Owolabi)

Pouring light onto the searching earth,The radiant star above hovers o’er the manger of the holy Child of love.As this beacon breaks through the night’s dark veil,It draws forth shepherds and kings to seek a Childwhose goal shall be to save our souls through His humility.

By the glow of the star, the angel choruses swell,The heavenly angel choruses swell,singing praise to Jesus Christ Emmanuel.But as the sounds soften and the Child gently sleeps,The star casts its beam on all whom God keeps.

The stable door(text: Lilian Cox; music: C. Armstrong Gibbs)

A soft light from a stable doorLies on the midnight lands;The Wise Man’s star burns evermoreOver all desert sands.

Unto all peoples of the earthA little child brought light;And never in the darkest placeCan it be utter night.

No flickering torch, no wavering fire,But Life, the Light of men;Whatever clouds may veil the skyNever is night again.

Torches, torches(traditional Galician; setting: James Schell)

Torches, torches, run with torches all the way to Bethlehem,Christ is born and now lies sleeping,come and sing your song to him.

Ah lullay lullay my baby,ah lullay my love, lullay.Sleep you well my heart’s own darling while we sing you our lullay.

Sing my friends and make you merry,joy and mirth and joy again.Lo, He lives, the King of heaven,now and forever more, amen.

Un flambeau, Jeanneatte, Isabelle,un flambeau, courons au berceau.C’est Jesus. Bons gens du village,le Christ est né; Marie appelle.

Ah, ah. Que la mère est belle.Ah, que l’enfant est beau.Doucement dance l’etab le close.Doucement, venez un moment.

Approchez. Que Jesus est charmant.Comme il est blank, comme il est rose.Do, do, qu l’enfant repose.Do, do, qu’il rit en dormant.

Bring a torch, Jeanneatte, Isabelle,bring a torch, let’s run to the cradle.It is Jesus. Good folk of the village,the Christ is born; Mary is calling.

Ah, ah. How beautiful the mother is.Ah, how fine and handsome the child is.Softly now, in the closed-up stable.Softly now, come here a moment.

Come a little closer. How charming Jesus is.How white he is, how pink he is.Hush, hush, how peaceful the child is.Hush, hush, how he smiles in his sleep.

Un flambeau, Jeanneatte, Isabelle(traditional Provençal; setting: Stephen Hatfield)

My heart is always wandering in the lonely manger stall,My spirit sings full knowing here is my all in all.The home of all my yearning, this fount of heavenly light.And I shall never forget Thee, O blessed Christmas night.

The stable dark and lonely shall be my rejoicing place.All worldly cares are banished as I gaze upon his face.There I behold abundant my source of joyous praise,And memories of His manger shall sustain me all my days.

O blessed Christmas night (text: Frank Pooler; music: Stan DeWitt)

This blessed Christmas night (text & music: Eleanor Daley)

Look to the east good people, see the wondrous star,Pointing the way to Bethlehem shining from afar,Look to the east, behold the star of light,Love will shine for all this blessed Christmas night.

See the star of Bethlehem, herald of the sky,Hear the angels singing “Glory to God on high!”Tell how the shepherds saw the wondrous sight,Love is seen for all this blessed Christmas night.

Sages bring their gifts to worship the Jesus Child,Watching over Him sleeping, Mary the Virgin mild,Gold, myrrh and incense for the Child of Light.Love was given for all this blessed Christmas night.

Peace to all He brings us, Hope to all the earth,Love forever bringing life and joy and mirth,Come into our hearts, Thou chosen Son of Light,Love has come for all this blessed Christmas night.

Look to your hearts, good people of a world forlorn,Sorrow and sadness are ended, Christ the Lord is born.Look to your hearts, oh praise the Lord of Light.Love is born for all this blessed Christmas night.

On nata lux(Morten Lauridsen)

O nata lux de lumineJesu redemptor saeculi,dignare clemens supplicumlaudes preces que sumere.

Qui carne quondam contegidignatus es pro perditis.Nos membra confer effici,tui beati corporis.

O one born light of light,Jesus, redeemer of the world,mercifully deem worthy and acceptthe praises and prayers of your supplicants.

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in fleshfor the sake of the lost ones,grant us to be made membersof your holy body.

Alleluya, a new work is come on hand(text: 15th century; music: Peter Wishart)

A new work is come on handThrough might and grace of Gode’s sonTo save the lost of every land. Alleluya.For now is free that erst was bound we may well sing: Alleluya.

Now is fulfilled the prophecyOf David and of JeremyAnd also of Isaiah. Alleluya.Sing we therefore both loud and high: Alleluya.

Alleluya, this sweeté songOut of a green branch it sprungGod send us the life that lasteth long. Alleluya.Now joy and bliss be him among that thus can sing: Alleluya.

Tonight’s poems are just a taste...Lorna Crozier Inventing the Hawk (McClelland & Stewart, 1992)

Emily Dickinson Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson (Back Bay Books, 1976)Charlene Diehl lamentations (Trout Lily Press, 1997)Louise Erdrich Original Fire (HarperCollins, 2003)

Don McKay Camber: Selected Poems (McClelland & Stewart, 2004)Mary Oliver New and Selected Poems (Beacon Press, 1992)

Owls and Other Fantasies: Poems and Essays (Beacon Press, 2003)

Special thanks to Sheldon Chartier, John Weier, Brian Hydesmith, Glenys Friesen, BrianReimer Audio, and the Winnipeg International Writers Festival for support of variouskinds. And to our many willing friends who’ve worked both behind the scenes and atthe door: you make the effort look effortless!

Would you like to be informed of upcoming Renaissance Voices performances? Pleasevisit our website to add your name to our mailing list.

SopranoMary-Lynn BertiLouise FriesenPaula McleodWanda NicolMaureen FerleyKim GoerzenCélina Ross

TenorPeter DueckTed DueckCraig SchapanskyKyle FriesenDavid PetersGreg McLean

AltoKathryn BalackoKaren Tole-HendersonCharlene DiehlKeira FriesenEdna DahlMartha GrahamBarbara Hicks

BassJohn BrubacherJohn DobsonMike Schroeder HubertWes EliasRudy DahlTed Wiens

RenaissanceVoicesDerek Morphy, conductor

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